ethnarch

Eth´nahrk

A title whose Greek etymology (“leader” or “ruler of a people”) is clear, but whose application and significance in the Hasmonean and Roman periods remain unclear. It occurs only once in the NT (2Cor 11:32), where the NRSV and NIV render it “governor.” It seems to have been a title given to rulers over their own people (e.g., the Jews) while under the overall rule of a foreign power (e.g., Rome), ranking somewhat lower than “king.”